Some recent finds

[lordkenmore]

Overall, my area doesn't seem to be great for finding vintage things at yard sales and thrift shops. And often when something does turn up, it seems to be expensive. Even if in bad shape. I imagine them saying at one thrift store: "It's VINTAGE! Who cares if it needs massive work? We can sell it for enough to make a payment on our CEO's Mercedes!"

Recently, though, I've had luck finding a few things reasonably priced. Most of these items came from large rummage sales close to closing when the prices are give away! Unfortunately, most aren't cosmetically ideal. But it's better than nothing.

Finally, forgive the photos: my camera is old, I was in a bit of a hurry, and I'm not the best photographer....

 

[lordkenmore]

I do NOT need another percolator.

Does this stop me, though? You be the judge:

 

[lordkenmore]

It's got plenty of cosmetic wear and tear. Inside desperately needs cleaning. But it should look OK at a slight distance when parked on a bookcase.

The coffee maker is a Universal by General Electric Coffeematic.

Another view:

 

[lordkenmore]

Another GE product: an old electric alarm clock. I don't think I've seen one like this before. I like the arch on top.

 

[lordkenmore]

Another GE clock view, showing the lovely fake veneer. Think of the poor plastic tree that died so someone could have a new clock!

 

[lordkenmore]

Sunbeam Electric sauce pan. Obviously heavily used.

 

[lordkenmore]

Inside, showing (I assume) a frying basket.

 

[lordkenmore]

Inside with basket out.

 

[lordkenmore]

This isn't vintage, but I might as well toss it in with my other finds.

This is a Presto pizza baker. I seem to recall seeing these years back in Target. Interesting gadget, but too expensive new. Has anyone had experience with these?

 

[lordkenmore]

The pizza baker tray includes this helpful advice warning that the baking tray is hot after use. Who'd have thought it possible?

 

[lordkenmore]

Finally, an old Macintosh PowerBook 145b. From about 1993. I couldn't resist. Years back, I half dreamed of a PowerBook. Historically, they supposedly set important precedents. Today's trackpad near the user arrangement was apparently first seen in the PowerBook (although they used a track ball in the earliest years). I have a fantasy of getting this 145b going, and taking to Starbucks just to see the reactions of the modern laptop users. (More practically, it could give me a portable computer. I don't have a laptop, other than this. While seriously limited, it could do some tasks like portable note taking, writing, etc.) So far, alas, I haven't gotten it working. (I think bad wall wart power supply.)

 

[lordkenmore]

Inside the PowerBook.

 

[petek]

I bought a Presto Pizza Pizzazz new back when they first appeared on the shelves. I couldn't help myself because it looked so odd with a little bit of fun factor and well just because I love quirky small appliances which is hardly news LOL . Anyways, the thing actually works  well for its intended purpose and I do use it whenever I buy a frozen pizza, like the other day. 

 

[combo52]

Presto Pizza Baker

I have one of these that I got at a thrift store a few years ago, it seems to work fairly well. Even though it uses less power than heating a large oven just to bake a pizza I still use it out on the screened porch during the hot months.

 

[rp2813]

I have always been intrigued by those pizza players.  It sounds like they work well, so I'll continue to keep an eye out for one.

 

[combo52]

Presto Pizza Baker

Yes I kept seeing them at thrift stores but the pan was always missing. Finally one day I spotted this unusual pan so I grabbed the heating unit from the small appliance section of the store reassembled it and purchased it for about $6. Like most of these single purpose specialty  appliances it does the intended job quite well.

 

[lordkenmore]

I'll be trying my Presto one of these days. One reason for getting things like this is just to play with them... Maybe I'll even dig out another electric pizza baker I have (I'm thinking it's West Bend, but don't quote me. It's old enough to be roughly Harvest Gold.) so I can compare. Usually I just use the oven, although a large part of that is just the less than optimal wiring in my kitchen. (One circuit for the whole kitchen. So I have to be careful how much I have plugged in at once.) Someday I hope to have a better kitchen where I can use toys, er, appliances more freely.